Great advice!

I work in tiles and the normal splashback height is 600 mm. This is because overhead cupboards are usually this height above the bench top. In your case you don't have this so can do anything you like. If you tile to low 200mm etc the wall gets damaged - paint doesn't wear like tiles. There are many materials you can use as a splash back but most aren't durable eg Perspex. Glass and tiles have the edge. Textured splashes are in hence the hand made tiles. If grout annoys you use large tiles you can get them up to 1200mm long these days with rectified edges you only have 1.5mm gap. Use sealer on the grout, they are now easy clean. If you have the money tile to the bulkhead a much more luxurious look. Maybe in a charcoal. I don't know how these gaps are getting so dirty. I use spray and wipe with a toothbrush occasionally and it takes little time and always clean.

I have used them on the north facing wall of a skylight shaft at the top, just below a Velux window.. You don't really notice them unless you look up the shaft but they do bounce a lot of extra light down the shaft. I have done this for an internal laundry and ensuite where there are no windows, and as a result neither of these rooms seem dark or gloomy during the day. Best of luck with your considerations, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

after tiling to the ceiling in my high ceiling old bathroom i've decided that "next time" i would prefer to keep the tiles in line with the top of the architraves around doors and windows...tiles are there for a long time and so many tiles make me feel like i'm in a public bathroom and although i love the look of the new bathroom i miss the opportunity for some colour and/or texture with paint or wallpaper that can be changed so much more easily, cheaply and more often that extra high tiled walls